only

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   with nevertheless the final result

   I arrived on time only to find the bus had already left.

2. 2
   adv

   in the final outcome

   These news will only make you more upset

3. 3
   adv

   as recently as

   I spoke to them only an hour ago.

4. 4
   adv

   never except when

   call me only if your cold gets worse

5. 5
   adj

   Alone in a category.

   He is the only doctor for miles.

6. 6
   adj

   Singularly superior; the best.

   Motley's the only wear.

7. 7
   adj

   Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.

   He is their only son, in fact, an only child.

8. 8
   adj

   Mere.

   I know some who wittingly have drawne both profit and preferment from cuckoldrie, the only name whereof is so yrksome and bail-ful to so many men.

Etymology

From Middle English oonly, only, from Old English ānlīċ, ǣnlīċ (“only; singular; solitary”), from Proto-Germanic *ainalīkaz. Cognate with obsolete Dutch eenlijk, German ähnlich (“similar”), Old Norse álíkr, Swedish enlig (“unified”). By surface analysis, on(e) + -ly. * Regarding the different phonological development of only and one, see the note in one.